Monday, July 11, 2011

Life in Albania - Week 37

What up HILTON HEAD ISLAND!?

1. Have new missionaries come out yet or are you still in a threesome?

We are still in a three some. Elder Roney goes home in 8 days! crazy. I can't even believe it. I don't want him to leave. But it's all good. After he leaves, Elder Platt and I will serve together until transfers happen (2 weeks)

2. Have you met your new mission president yet?

Nope. We have a "Meet the President" thing on Wednesday in Tirana. It should be a ball.

3. How was church on Sunday? How many people came?

Church on Sunday was ballin'. ha yes. It was sweet. We actually took our whole branch to Durres for church. Durres is another city in Albania that has the only other church building (like Elbasan). We went because it was Klidi's baptism and we wanted Noj and Kristjana to see the baptism. But we wouldn't have been able to make it there in time after our church so we got permission from president to just leave in the morning (6:30) and go to the full 3 hour block in Durres. It was amazing. We had Zef (the old man) and Kristjana and Noj (our investigators). They loved church and I think it was an incredible experience for them.

4. How are the people doing that you are teaching?

Kristjana and Noj are doing great. We had a lesson with Noj about the tree of life and how although people got made fun of, the ones who endured through it got the reward. It helped him alot since he was getting made fun of by his friends. They loved church. Unfortunately we have lost contact with Rudolf completely. It's very unfortunate. But I know someday he will find the truth. We had a good lesson this past week too with someone we found in the road. Hopefully we can meet with him again.

5. How was your baptism? Did you have to travel far to perform the baptism?

It was actually a terribly planned baptismal service but fortunately Klidi is the type of person who it didn't bother him. I just wish I could have been the one who planned the baptismal service. We traveled 2 hours for it.

6. Have you done any more Teancum Tracting this week?

Nope

7. Did you get to talk to or teach the girl you met on the street last week?

I have tried to call her a few times and she answered once and said she would call us when she has time. So hopefully she calls.

8. When do you start up English Classes again?

Probably September

9. What do the secret codes mean that you put in the emails for Kendy?? J Are you going to tell us?

Well it was awesome to hear from all the family! Is Brian there? I thought you said he was going to go. Well I really don't have a ton to say about this week. We finished up our English course, did A LOT of standing the street talking to people. But we didn't have very many people super interested. And we had a couple lessons with the Binoshaj family (Noj and Kristjana). I really don't know what else to say about the week ha. It was a slow one but a good one. Shkoder is getting pretty tough though. It's hard because we don't have people here to love us ha. Like in other cities, there are members that love and care about you and a great atmosphere at church with loving members to bring in investigators. Here, the only two active members are on their death beads (basically ha) and Church on Sundays are difficult for investigators to fall in love with the church. So basically we do a bunch of finding with minimal reward ha. But it's okay because hopefully Shkoder will be as big as Elbasan and Durres someday. It's just crazy to think that Shkoder has been open for 5 years (almost as long as Vlore) and only has 2 active members whereas in Vlore there are about 50 active members. With all that being said, we are working our bums off and trying to do our best to help Shkoder to grow.

I'll send you some photos from the baptism and church in Durres. It was a beautiful day.

Oh haha and a random side note: This past week we were sitting in the apartment one night after planning and we have a "What is EFY DVD" to show the kids who want to go to EFY. We decided to watch it. It was totally worth it. You wanna know why?! There is a 30 second clip with John Lenahan sitting in a class! haha It was hilarious! He looks exactly the same and this video was probably from 2005 or 2006.

Also, One night while laying in bed, We were helping Elder Roney practice talking to girls since he will be going home soon and he doesn't want to be awkward haha. So we did some practice situations. I played the role of Alexis hahahaha. It was hilarious. He is super nervous of trying to find a way to get in contact with Lex. It was great. Alexis, you are probably going to marry him ;) ha

Kendra lou, Elder Roney says that it is very rare that you would have the opportunity to see his cousin Braedon since he is ALWAYS with his girlfriend/lover haha. Are YOU his lover/girlfriend?! haha SKETCHY! jkbs. ha anyways. I have some funny news for you that I'll write in my letter to you today. You are probably gonna freak out. You can tell my family once you get it ha.

Anyways. I'm OUT! I love all of you! Enjoy hilton head. Do pranks, don't get caught, and certainly do not turn yourselves in.

Info about this blog:

How to write Austin:

NEWways to contact Austin:

1. There is no mail delivery in Albania other than post office boxes, so our Office Secretary goes to the post office twice a week to pick up the mail and packages. DHL or FedEx delivers the Church pouch to us once a week. For packages, we have found that US Priority mail is the least expensive and fairly rapid option (around 2 weeks). Multiple smaller packages seem to come thru a lot better than large packages, and should be addressed:

Fondacioni Liahona

PO BOX 2984

Tirana, Albania

You can also use US Express mail service and the packages are actually delivered to our doorstep (more expensive) in a week or less. For these courier options use this address:

FONDACIONI LIAHONA

P.O. Box 2984

Rr. Qemal Stafa, Vila.1

Perballë Postes Nr. 22)

TIRANA, ALBANIA

2. You can also write to him via the pouch at church headquarters if you write on one sheet of paper and fold it and seal it without an envelope. Address your letters to your missionary in care of:

Albania Tirana Mission Pouch

P.O. Box 30150

Salt Lake City, Utah 84130-0150

Other materials can be sent via regular US mail to:

P.O. Box 2984

Tirana, Albania.

3. You can still use dearelder.com to send Austin letters. You will need to select Pouch (FREE) and then Austin's mission - Albania Tirana. It's free & you don't have to go to the post office. HOWEVER, the Pouch Department only sends one package per week to each mission so there is a deadline (12midnight Mountain time on Sundays).